DOLPHINS STOP JFK STREAK

DOLPHINS STOP JFK STREAK

Dolphins’ April Talledo shoots a short jumper for two points. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The Southern Dolphins came back from a rocky first half to defeat the JFK Islanders, 46-32, ending their four-game winning streak Saturday night at the Southern High gymnasium.

Down 21-15, the Dolphins stepped up their game after a slow-starting first half; a three-pointer from Brielle Meno sparked Southern’s offense.

With Islander’s top-scorer of the night, Alison Bowman, still sinking in her layups and utilizing her height to grab rebounds, Dolphins April Talledo stood out after an ankle-breaking crossover to sink in a quick two-pointer over Bowman.

The Islanders kept their lead after multiple fouls from Southern, but another Dolphins three-pointer from Nadine Caleeta had her opponents scrambling on defense. With the JFK not far ahead of their opponents, 26-23, the Dolphins’ aggressiveness grew: a full court man-to-man press was all Southern needed to startle the Islanders.

Islanders’ Anita Onedera drives the ball into the paint for a two point shot. (photo by Jesse Castro)

After multiple turnovers, the defense of JFK slowly broke with various fouls, putting Talledo on the foul line to cut the lead to one, 26-25. But a layup from Islanders Anita Onedera gave hope for her team to end the third on a good note. But another two-pointer from Talledo and a three-pointer from Meno put Southern in the lead for the first time in the game, 30-28, sparking the Dolphins going in the last quarter.

Starting the fourth with the same aggressiveness, the Dolphins kept their opponents in a scoring slump until the fifth minute with a second chance shot from Bowman. But the defense of Southern kept JFK away from the basket, going on a 9-0 run to create an 11-point lead, 41-30.

With only two minutes left in the game, Islanders Rufina Royster tried to spark run for her team after a second chance layup, but JFK was unable to connect any shot after. Fouls by Southern put the Islanders on the line to make the easy baskets, but JFK went 0-7 on the foul line in the fourth quarter. A two by Meno and a last minute three-pointer from Angelica Reyes ended all hope of an Islanders comeback.

Dolphins’ April Flores puts the ball up for two with Islanders’ Alison Bowman defending. (photo by Jesse Castro)

“Just to keep strong and to just keep fighting,” commented Talledo on her team’s comeback.

The Islanders put in two consecutive layups from Bowman to start the game off right. Talledo and Meno kept the score close after made layups, but behind Bowman and teammate Brittney Meno, JFK pulled away with a 13-6 lead to end the first quarter.

With Bowman putting in her twos, the Dolphins’ defense began to slow down. Talledo’s speed and vertical jumping ability on offense gave JFK’s defense something to worry about, putting in back-to-back layups to end the second quarter, 21-15.

“I guess it comes naturally,” laughed Talledo when asked about her abilities on the court. “I don’t let anyone bring me down; I just play my game.”

Talledo led the Dolphins with 21 points, four rebounds, and four steals. In the losing effort, Bowman led the Islanders with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and two steals.